After a blink-and-you’ll-miss it offseason — there have been precisely 5 days between the conclusion of the NextGen ATP Finals and the beginning of the United Cup — the 2025 tennis season is formally underway.
And prepared or not, it is already time for the 12 months’s first main on the Australian Open, which begins Sunday in Melbourne (Saturday at 7 p.m. ET).
Have not adopted tennis because the US Open or simply want a refresher on probably the most compelling storylines? We have got you coated. Here is all the things — minus the caffeine and a technique to hold the times straight for these watching stateside — you want forward of the primary draw on the “Pleased Slam.”
The defending champs
For a couple of years it was unclear who would substitute tennis’ longtime elite gamers — Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams — as they inevitably neared the ends of their careers. It appeared unimaginable to assume anybody would have the ability to persistently win titles as they’d accomplished. And whereas Djokovic continues to be enjoying (extra on him shortly) and all these on tour nonetheless have a lengthy technique to go earlier than they occupy the identical air because the legends talked about, there are a couple of which have stepped as much as the duty. Chief amongst them are the defending champions: Aryna Sabalenka, who additionally gained in Melbourne in 2023, and Jannik Sinner.
The 2 are the reigning world No. 1 gamers, and each have been additionally victorious on the US Open. Every had monster 2024 seasons — Sabalenka gained 4 titles and Sinner clinched eight — and are the oddsmakers’ favorites to hoist the singles trophies later this month.
Sabalenka has already been spectacular in 2025. After cruising to the Brisbane remaining final week, she fought again after dropping the primary set in opposition to Polina Kudermetova to take the crown — the 18th of her profession and fourth on Australian soil — with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. She is going to now look to turn into the primary lady to win three straight on the Australian Open since Martina Hingis did so in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
“Mentally, bodily I will be able to go on the Australian Open,” Sabalenka stated after the Brisbane remaining. “Actually proud of the best way the week went. Having this trophy going to the key, it is actually vital.”
Sinner has but to play in 2025 however ended 2024 with the title on the ATP Finals, and because the hero of the championship-winning Italian workforce on the Davis Cup. He’ll possible face questions and extra consideration concerning his failed drug exams and the attraction from the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) about his lack of suspension. However related scrutiny did little to disrupt his trophy quest in New York final 12 months, and he is confirmed he can block out the surface noise whereas on the courtroom.
Djokovic’s drive for 25 continues
After profitable nearly all the things in 2023, Djokovic seemed effectively on his technique to breaking Margaret Courtroom’s report of 24 Grand Slam singles titles final 12 months. He arrived in Melbourne final January with excessive expectations and a perception he may just do that in Courtroom’s native Australia.
And, because the report holder for many singles titles (10) on the main within the Open period, it actually appeared greater than attainable.
Nonetheless, his goals have been dashed following a semifinal loss to Sinner, and the remainder of the season did not go to plan both. Djokovic didn’t win a Grand Slam title — and he did not win an ATP Tour-level title of any variety for the primary time since 2005. Whereas he did earn the one remaining achievement not on his résumé by profitable Olympic gold in Paris, it was undoubtedly a wierd season for him. He even admitted it was changing into an growing problem to stay motivated on courtroom, particularly following the retirement of his “best rival” Nadal, along with Federer and Andy Murray beforehand.
“It is a bit overwhelming for me,” Djokovic stated in October after Nadal’s announcement. “I do not know what to make out of it. I nonetheless get pleasure from competing however a part of me left with them, a giant a part of me.”
Djokovic, 37, opened his 2025 season in Brisbane however was handed a surprising defeat within the quarterfinals by American Reilly Opelka, who not too long ago made his return following a prolonged damage absence.
However neither his opening consequence nor his lackluster (solely by his excessive requirements, that’s) 2024 season have derailed any pleasure about his 2025 Australian Open marketing campaign.
The No. 7-ranked Djokovic will not be solely again in Melbourne, however he is introduced alongside his new coach for the journey. Sure, that may after all be Murray, the three-time main champion who retired following the Paris Olympics. The longtime rivals and buddies introduced they might be working collectively in November and Murray will formally be Djokovic’s coach on the Australian Open. A lot to the delight of followers on the grounds, and everywhere in the globe, the pair have been noticed working towards on web site Tuesday.
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Djokovic and new coach Murray hyperlink up for first coaching session
Former rivals Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray follow for the primary time forward of the Australian Open.
Based on ESPN BET, Djokovic has the third-best odds, behind Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, at +350, of profitable the title. However how he’ll fare in Melbourne — a spot he admits nonetheless causes him “trauma” after his controversial deportation in 2021 — and past would possibly simply be the most important thriller for the 2025 season.
The opposite prime contenders
Along with the reigning champions, and the winningest participant on the occasion within the Open period, there are a couple of others who’ve a authentic likelihood of profitable the titles.
Coco Gauff: After a disappointing summer time, culminating in a fourth-round loss throughout her protection mission on the US Open in September, Gauff retooled her workforce and her sport — and has been a pressure to be reckoned with since. After a brief break following the loss in New York, Gauff ended 2024 with the titles on the 1000-level China Open and on the year-end WTA Finals. Earlier this week she was named the MVP of the United Cup due to her 5-0 efficiency in singles play as she led the US workforce to the title. The No. 3 seed on the Australian Open, the 20-year-old Gauff will look to enhance upon her 2024 semifinal run and win her second main singles title.
Carlos Alcaraz: The 21-year-old Spaniard gained the French Open and Wimbledon, and an Olympic silver medal, in 2024 and can look to finish the profession Grand Slam in 2025 with the title on the Australian Open. He was not as profitable within the latter a part of the 2024 season — he was upset within the second spherical of the US Open and didn’t get out of group play on the ATP Finals — however he did win the title on the China Open. He hasn’t but performed in 2025 and must be effectively rested for the match. He had his finest run Down Below final 12 months with a quarterfinal look however he actually might be aiming for extra this time round.
Iga Swiatek: The five-time main champion and present world No. 2 opened her season by main Poland to the United Cup remaining earlier than she was stopped by Gauff in straight units. The 23-year-old reached the semifinals in Melbourne in 2022 however has since uncharacteristically struggled on the occasion — dropping within the fourth spherical in 2023 and the third spherical final season. Nonetheless, she stays one of many sport’s largest threats on the exhausting courtroom. Swiatek examined constructive for a banned substance in 2024 and accepted a one-month suspension, and, like Sinner, will possible face scrutiny in her first main because it was introduced. Will the added consideration gasoline her or distract her? The oddsmakers appear to assume the previous. She’s tied with Gauff for the second-best odds for the ladies, per ESPN Wager.
Daniil Medvedev: A 3-time Australian Open finalist, together with final 12 months, and the 2021 US Open champion, Medvedev enters the match slightly below the radar after a comparatively subpar 2024 season. He missed the lead-in occasions as a result of beginning of his second baby — a private replace he simply revealed on Tuesday — and is considerably of a wild card getting into the match. However Medvedev has repeatedly confirmed to be among the best on the floor and will actually make one more run to the ultimate.
Different title threats embody Jasmine Paolini, the world No. 4 who surprised the tennis world together with her finals appearances on the French Open and Wimbledon final season, 2024 Australian Open finalist and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen and two-time Australian Open semifinalist and world No. 2 Alexander Zverev.
Osaka’s roller-coaster comeback journey
Naomi Osaka made her return to tennis following maternity go away at the beginning of the 2024 season with a contemporary perspective. However returning to aggressive tennis hasn’t been simple. The four-time main champion was unable to advance previous the second spherical at a Slam and reached simply two quarterfinals throughout the remainder of the season.
Osaka parted methods together with her coach Wim Fissette in September and began working with Patrick Mouratoglou — Serena Williams’ former coach — later that month. After coaching collectively in Los Angeles through the offseason, Osaka opened 2025 in Auckland by reaching her first remaining in nearly three years.
All smiles for the ultimate
@naomiosaka powers her method into her first remaining since 2022 as she defeats Parks 6-4, 6-2!#ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/u2eGo7igGU
— wta (@WTA) January 4, 2025
After claiming the primary set and looking out effectively on her technique to the title, she tearfully retired from the match with an belly damage. Regardless of the inopportune timing, Osaka stated she could be present process an MRI and nonetheless believed she would have the ability to play on the Australian Open.
“I do not really feel that it is too critical, and I nonetheless really feel very optimistic about AO,” the 27-year-old stated Monday.
Osaka is a two-time victor in Melbourne, most not too long ago in 2021, and confirmed flashes of her signature dominance throughout her run in Auckland. She is now again inside the highest 50 for the primary time since her return. However will she have the ability to play subsequent week or will her main ambition be thwarted till the spring? It is unclear, nevertheless it appears secure to say that her type is returning to her earlier degree, and if she may be at or close to full well being, few opponents would need to see her of their part of the draw.
Kyrgios is again — possibly
Whereas he wasn’t precisely removed from tennis due to his podcast, tv commentating appearances on ESPN and the BBC, and continued headline-generating actions, Nick Kyrgios performed in only one match through the 2023 and 2024 seasons as he underwent a number of surgical procedures on his wrist and knee.
However now, the polarizing Australian is lastly again in time for his house Slam and might be enjoying in each singles and doubles alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis. The pair gained the title collectively in 2022.
Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, made his official return earlier this month in Brisbane. He misplaced in a hard-fought first-round conflict in opposition to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) and reached the second spherical in doubles with Djokovic. The 29-year-old was candid in how he was feeling following his first match again.
“I believe I nearly want a miracle and I want the celebrities to align for my wrist to carry up in a Grand Slam for certain,” he stated.
Since then, Kyrgios shared he could be present process scans to make sure his wrist was “structurally all OK” in an Instagram story submit, and stated on Wednesday that he was additionally coping with an belly pressure. However assuming he does play, Kyrgios will undoubtedly be one of many largest fan attracts due to his showmanship and electrifying factors just like the one beneath.
He is again
@NickKyrgios as much as his outdated methods in his first match again#BrisbaneInternational pic.twitter.com/XXnynsivJB
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 30, 2024
What in regards to the Individuals?
It has been 5 years since an American gained an Australian Open singles title, and 22 years since an American man took house the honors.
So, sure, it has been awhile, particularly for the boys. Actually, as you possible know all too effectively, the U.S. males have not gained a Slam singles title anyplace since Andy Roddick did so on the US Open in 2003.
However each the ladies and the boys deliver a formidable roster this 12 months and will make issues fascinating.
Along with Gauff, there are 4 different countrywomen within the prime 20 heading into the primary draw. No. 7 Jessica Pegula is coming off her finest main consequence ever with a remaining look on the US Open. No. 8 Emma Navarro had a breakthrough season with a semifinal run on the US Open and a quarterfinal bid at Wimbledon. No. 11 Danielle Collins gained her largest title to this point on the 1000-level Miami Open in March, in addition to the title in Charleston the next week, after which nearly retired earlier than coming again for what could possibly be (or won’t be!) her remaining season. And No. 20 Madison Keys has been a stalwart of second weeks at majors throughout her profession and has twice reached the semifinals in Melbourne.
To not point out, there’s Amanda Anisimova, ranked No. 36, who made a fourth-round run on the match in 2024, following a psychological well being break from the game. She’s since reached the ultimate on the Canadian Open.
And whereas she’s by no means repeated her monumental 2020 season — she additionally performed within the French Open remaining throughout that pandemic-impacted 12 months — Sofia Kenin, the final American to be victorious on the Australian Open and now ranked No. 81, may all the time shock. She reached the ultimate on the 500-level Pan Pacific Open in October.
And, imagine it or not, the boys are equally poised for fulfillment due to a exceptional depth of expertise.
That record begins with Taylor Fritz, the world No. 4 who reached the US Open remaining in September. Since then — the most effective Slam results of his profession — the 27-year-old made the ultimate on the ATP Finals and helped lead the Individuals to a United Cup win. Through the occasion, Fritz went 4-1 in singles play, together with a championship-clinching victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
Fritz reached the quarterfinals on the Australian Open final season and now is aware of he is able to much more.
Then there’s Fritz’s childhood buddy and Olympic bronze medal-winning teammate Tommy Paul, at the moment ranked No. 12. Paul reached the semifinals in Melbourne two years in the past and has solely gotten higher. He gained three titles in 2024.
Fan favourite Frances Tiafoe is ranked No. 17 and had his first main breakthrough on the Australian Open in 2019 when he reached the quarterfinals. He is since reached the semis on the US Open twice, together with in 2024, and is greater than able to an upset in opposition to a number of the largest names. (Simply ask Nadal!)
No. 21 Ben Shelton was a quarterfinalist in 2023 — in simply his second main look and first match exterior of the US. He is a two-time champion on the ATP Tour and has lengthy been seen because the nation’s finest hope to snap the Slam drought. May this be the 12 months?
No. 22 Sebastian Korda, a 2023 quarterfinalist, and No. 37 Brandon Nakashima, who beat top-20 gamers Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti on the 2024 US Open en path to the fourth spherical, are additionally younger gamers to regulate.
Rybakina’s teaching saga
After splitting from her coach Stefano Vukov through the US Open, many within the tennis world have been thrilled when 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina employed Goran Ivanisevic — Djokovic’s former coach and 2001 Wimbledon champion — through the offseason. After a number of years of working with Vukov, throughout which he drew criticism for his intense outbursts towards Rybakina and through which she had various sudden withdrawals from occasions, Ivanisevic appeared to supply a contemporary begin for Rybakina.
The pair spent two weeks coaching in Dubai forward of the season and Rybakina, the present world No. 6, helped lead Kazakhstan to the semifinals of the United Cup of their first match collectively. However on New Yr’s Day, Rybakina stunned the tennis world, and reportedly Ivanisevic, as she introduced Vukov could be rejoining her workforce. In a submit on X responding to the information, former player-turned-coach and ESPN analyst Pam Shriver referred to as it a “very unhappy scenario” and stated the game wanted to “lastly stand as much as recognized abuse and cult like manipulations of gamers.”
In an article from The Athletic the next day, it was revealed that Vukov had been provisionally suspended by the WTA for a breach of the Tour’s code of conduct and he wouldn’t have the ability to get hold of a credential for the Australian Open or different tournaments. Since then, Rybakina has defended Vukov and insisted he “by no means mistreated” her.
Earlier this week, Ivanisevic advised Bounces it was a “very unusual scenario” and “not good for anyone.” He went on to say he remained a part of Rybakina’s workforce in the intervening time.
“I imply, let’s put it this manner: I am right here,” Ivanisevic stated. “I simply need to watch for WTA; I believe it is honest. After which, we’ll see what is going on to be subsequent. Nonetheless, I do not need to go an excessive amount of into the long run.”
What all this implies for Rybakina, 25, is unsure, however it should stay a speaking level all through the match as this continues to play out within the coming days and weeks.
Teaching carousel
Whereas much more contentious than typical, Rybakina’s teaching change was nothing uncommon in skilled tennis. A number of prime gamers — along with Djokovic and Osaka — discovered new coaches to work with through the offseason.
After being dismissed by Osaka, Fissette started working with Swiatek. She had beforehand introduced she was not working with Tomasz Wiktorowski after three years collectively. Swiatek’s Poland teammate Hurkacz additionally made strikes as he dropped Craig Boynton after profitable eight titles collectively and employed eight-time main champion Ivan Lendl and Nicolas Massu.
Gauff break up with Brad Gilbert, who had been a part of her workforce throughout her 2023 US Open run, in September and introduced in Matt Daly to assist make changes to her grip and serve. To date, as evidenced above, it has been a fairly profitable partnership.
And, as a result of, effectively, tennis, different adjustments are greater than possible following (or possibly even throughout) the Australian Open. Keep tuned.
Who’s out
Whereas each attracts are star-studded and full of huge names, there are some notable absences.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova introduced her withdrawal Sunday on account of a lingering again damage sustained close to the tip of the 2024 season. “It is actually disappointing as a result of I like enjoying in Melbourne and have such nice recollections from reaching the quarterfinals final 12 months,” she wrote in a social media submit.
Former world No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki, who gained the match in 2018, and Karolina Pliskova, a former semifinalist, have additionally withdrawn. Simona Halep, one other former No. 1 and two-time main champion, had been granted a wild card into qualifying following her return to tennis after serving a suspension for doping. However she introduced her withdrawal final month on account of knee and shoulder ache.
“After discussing with my workforce at size, we agreed it’s smart to delay the beginning of my season,” Halep wrote in an Instagram story.
The boys’s draw has remained largely intact.
However after all, 2025 additionally marks the primary season following the retirements of former Grand Slam champions Nadal, Murray, Angelique Kerber, Dominic Thiem and Garbine Muguruza, and it is exhausting to assume they will not be missed by followers.
Future champions?
Whereas the 2 eventual singles champions have possible already been talked about, listed here are a couple of up-and-coming gamers that might make a splash in Melbourne and past this season:
Mirra Andreeva: The 17-year-old Russian has been on a constant rise since bursting onto the scene through the 2023 season with a fourth-round run at Madrid. Since her star flip, Andreeva has reached the semifinals on the 2024 French Open, gained her first WTA singles title and even captured the Olympic silver medal in doubles with fellow rising star Diana Shnaider. She opened the season with a semifinal look in Brisbane and the doubles title with Shnaider. Andreeva broke into the highest 15 within the rankings this week for the primary time and is the youngest participant within the prime 150.
Arthur Fils: The 20-year-old Frenchman reached the fourth spherical at Wimbledon final season and gained two ATP 500-level titles. He is now ranked a career-high No. 20 and can look to enhance upon his spectacular 2024 into the brand new 12 months. This marks simply his second Australian Open look and he reached the second spherical throughout his debut.
Linda Noskova: Ranked No. 30, the 20-year-old recorded her finest Slam consequence throughout final 12 months’s Australian Open by reaching the quarterfinals — and made a right away identify for herself by upsetting then No. 1 Swiatek within the third spherical. After narrowly lacking out on a medal on the Olympics, Noskova used her disappointment to gasoline her first WTA singles title at Monterrey in August and a semifinal run in Cincinnati.
Joao Fonseca: The 2023 US Open junior champion is contemporary off his victory on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals and is at the moment enjoying in Australian Open qualifying. If he wins his three matches, it could mark his first main primary draw look. Presently ranked simply exterior the highest 100 for the primary time, the 18-year-old Brazilian has gained two titles on the Challenger tour and is taken into account one of many sport’s brightest younger stars. Two-time main finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas had excessive reward for {the teenager} final month.
“I personally imagine it is just the start of him rising up within the rankings and exhibiting his precise true potential,” Tsitsipas stated throughout a information convention on the United Cup. “I believe we’ll see huge issues from him within the subsequent few years, so long as he stays the identical method he’s now. I see no cause he would underdeliver.”